(Trenton) - NJDOT officials today announced that the Route 168/Benigno Boulevard intersection improvement project has advanced into the next stage of construction in Bellmawr Borough, Camden County.

Last weekend NJDOT’s contractor, Mount Construction Co., shifted all Route 168 travel lanes outward to the right, along the newly constructed curb line through the intersection. This will allow for the new construction zone to be set up along the median of the highway, where new concrete medians are being constructed.

The $2 million project is widening Benigno Boulevard to include two dedicated turn-lanes – a left-turn lane for traffic headed to Route 168 northbound and a dedicated right-turn lane for traffic headed to Route 168 southbound and the New Jersey Turnpike. Previously, Benigno Boulevard featured only one travel lane at the intersection, which led to traffic backups for motorists headed to Route 168 during peak travel periods. A new traffic signal will be installed to accommodate the new turn movements at the intersection. New sidewalks and curbing are being provided and drainage improvements will also be made at the intersection.

All lanes on Route 168 are being maintained between 6 a.m. and 9 p.m. during construction, with traffic shifts in place utilizing the existing highway shoulders. During overnight hours, single-lane closures may be implemented on each roadway, with traffic shifts and alternating traffic patterns. The project, which began preliminary work and utility relocations in fall 2011, is expected to be complete by early-summer 2013.